AnthroCurrents – January 17, 2017

After a brief hiatus and some technical issues, AnthroCurrents is back! My name is Julia Wignall, and I am joining the NAPA communications team as the new AnthroCurrents writer. My immediate predecessor Walter Pond has done an amazing job and certainly left me some fun and challenging shoes to fill! You can read a bit more about me in a previous, introductory blog posting on this site. Now, let’s review some recent examples of anthropology in the mass media:

Anthropology is for the birds? Anthropologist Barbara King reflects on the dynamic system of swooping starlings in murmuration. Watch the video. So cool.

Two anthropologists at U Florida who specialize in genetics find that systemic racism impacts the health of African Americans rather than genetic predisposition. Reminded me of Melissa Harris-Parry’s talk at AAA in November. Along the same lines, an Australian researcher discusses the AAA member survey responses to questions about our views of race classification in science. The results are reassuring until you dig a little deeper…

AnthroCurrents is a biweekly look at how the world sees anthropology. Add your comments below, or send tips and links to anthrocurrents@practicinganthropology.org.Follow on Twitter (@NapaAnthro), Facebook (@NAPA.Anthro), or LinkedIn (National Association for the Practice of Anthropology).